Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-24
PECULIAR PEOPLE.
A Wealthy Woman With a Mania for
EcOmOmy-The Man who Runs HIS
House by Clock work.


House by ClockxOrk.
What lucky thing 1t Is that the people in this
world OF ours are not all alike, says the Boston
Herald There would no scandal, no gossip, moth
ing TO talk about relish zest in life, If all our
neighbors looked upon things from our point of
view. and always agreed with US in every Ques-
ton that arose.
Now, there, for instance, is old Mrs WelliDg,
OF No go Commonwealth avenue, whose figure Is
as well known In society as DR.. Johnson's was on
the pavements of London. She has her peculiar
ites like the rest OF and is so far conscious OF
them that she laughs with everybody at the con-
sequences they bring upon her head. With good
position, plenty Of money, an induigent husband,
and no reason on earth for anything OF the kind,
she has a positive monomania for econOmizing,
and the maneuyers she goes through and the suf-
fering she endures TO save single penny would be
simply ludicrous IL they did not occupy her whole
time and attention TO the exclusion OF more i'm
portant affairs. Her household runs like clock
work. The servants-green hands engaged at the
minimum OF wages-are drilled and trained Into
the most marvellous domest1cs in town. In her
kitchen nothing goes to waste. She visits that
department every morning, ana makes rigid In
spection OF the contents OF closet refrigerator,
larder and storecoset TO the smallest morsel Turk
| ing therein. Every atom Is used, no extravaganza
is permitted the cook, who, from long habit, Is be-
coming as saving as her mistress That lady sits
! down during the winter evenings when her daugh-
ter plays Beethoven softly at the piano. and her
Il
| evening paper, and, instead OF wo king worsted
cats and dogs for ottomans and sofa cushions, she
| takes the cards OF nre-and- birthstone matches
which the servants use and carefully breaks them
up one by one, 50 that no wasteful hand shalllght
\ two OF three at once. such watchful care has
never been known.
| sometimes her economy amounts to meanness
| laughable even when IL Is contemplate. year or
/ Two ago she was staying for few days In wash
ington at a hotel. and. 10 her great delight, re-
ceived a card for a very grand ball. which was TO
be given before her return TO Boston. or course
she wanted 10 go. But the horrible expense made
her pause carriage IS always an item that
caused her a shudder. She pondered the question
long in her own mind and at last bright thought
struck her. She put on wrap and bonnet, and
posted OF TO woman whom she knew but slightly,
and who was the vile OF member Of the cabinet.
TO the astoaished hostess "and can't you z We me
q seat In your carriage? 1t Is right on your way,
and Will be quite ready In the parlor OF the hotel
so that would give you no trouble at all" The
wife Of the cabinet officer was absolutely stag
gered into agreeing TO this bold proposition, and
many times1turned gown TO see II a stitch were
needed 10 give 1t a more Partisan air. The after
noon OF the ball arrived, and Mrs Cabinet received
a telegram from New YORK announcing the death
OF her brother. whereupon she sent a note In
stantly Mrs yelling, telling her OF the clrcum-
stances and adding that OF course the ball was
came epistle from the Bostonan, full OF condo
lence and sympathy, and signed "YOurs, with
deepest sorrow, Adelaide N. Weinng.' Then came
Up. 5. 1 supposeSit won't make any difference
about the carriage"
Poor Mrs yelling! She wished one day to pay
some visits in Providence, but couldn't bear 70 dis
burse the necessary 81 in car fare, when, looking
over the newspapers 10 nnd out about the train,
she saw that private car was TO take up the
friends and relatives OF the deceased TO funeral
on that very gay. verbum sat. She FASTENED 10
the station, took her place In the car went TO the
house OF mourning. partook Of the lunch provided
therr for the friends from Boston, while the serv-
ices were going on made her calls and returned TO
Boston In the private car, rejoicing that she had
accomplished so much at some one elses expense.
I horribly notifying story that, and one which
filled her suffering family with despair when they
he I'd her relate IL with great glee at the dinner
table. But what would society do without Mrs.
welnng's adventures and petty economies 10 flavor
its cups Of afternoon tea? She says herself that
she Is puplic benefactor, and gives her large
circle OF acquaintance something to talk about,
which Is certainly q charity.
Her peculiarities, however, are only amusing,
and not half 50 trying as those OF a dozen we'll
meaning gentlemen upon the Back bay who have
succeeded In reducing their lives TO a system and
routine which they follow relig1ously year in and
year out. Isn't IL failing OF human nature gen.
orally 10 hate coming to time? And do not the
must angelic or us rebel against the memorable
master who insists upon our living by note? John
Pennygingie oil Beacon street and Beverly farms,
a man OF This stamp and he exists In strict accord
with that little order OF exercises which has
sketched out for himself and tries TO bring his
getting through their allotted plan Of life To say
that he Is dreadful u rant but feebly expresses IT,
II ru es that establishment with rod OF iron, and
regulates Its laying down and Its rising up A bell
Is rung at frightfully early hour In the morning
at the sound OF which every man, woman, and
child In the house Is supposed 10 bound out of bed
with the velocity OF a cannon-ball and scramble
through nasty toilet In time 10 start the instant
breakfast is announced. There is no getting ahead
OF Mr.. Pennygingie He regards as one OF the
deadllest Sins 10 remain In bed one single quarter
| OF second after the clock has struck seven His
| own toilet he accomplishes most expeditiously
ana denies the anxious members VI his family TO get
down stairs before he does. When the nrst faint
tinkle OF the breakfast bell Is heard In the han he
leaps he mes, he bounds into the dining ROOM and
before the pretty French clock on the mantel has
half played the little tune which proclams the
eighth hour past since midnight he Is In his place
at the head OF the table, with calm sef-satisfac-
ton nlling his soul, ana terrible frown for hap
less creatures who chance TO be two minutes late
Nothing, In Mr.. Pennyg1ngIes eyes. can equal the
crime OF being late. Privately, he considers cap
ital punishment alone severe enough for the Offend
ers, and the anathemas that he heaps upon the
defen,eless neads OF his poor young daughters
die the blood OF those unhappy creatures In tneir
veins IL Is something he never forgets fOrgiyes
/ this want OF punctuality. The man who falls to
keep an appointment at the given hour TO a second
| fncurs his everlasting contempt and scorn. The
| woman who procrastiDates and Is never on hand
at the right time Is beneath his notice. and never
gets more than passing glance from the auLocraI
But 10 be late 10 breakast-nOthlng less than ever
lasting damnaton is In store for the fated being
/ who onenas In that way
\ -
lchabOd.
Though you should come and kneel low Ut my feet